INTRODUCTION

- Water quality can be defined as the chemical, physical and biological characteristics
of water which usually respects to its suitability for a designated use (Ritabrata Roy.
2012). Basically, this test is conducted to determine whether the water quality is in
compliance with the standard or not. Hence, some of the important water parameters
can be carried out at the laboratory. For example, colour, odor, turbidity, iron,
calcium, pH value and alkalinity are some common parameters that usually will be
tested in water quality test.
- In this experiment, we only conduct physical characteristics of the water, which
include pH value, colour and turbidity. In water solution, pH value is referred to the
logarithm of reciprocal of hydrogen ion activity in mole per liter. While, turbidity of
water is referred to the reduction of transparency due to the presence of particularly
matter such as microscopic organisms. Regarding to the colour parameter, it may be
consists inorganic ions, humus and peat materials, plankton, weeds and industrial
wastes. (HACH. 2012)
OBJECTIVES
- To determine the physical characteristics of sample water which taken from the
Unitens lake for sample A and Miness lake for sample B.
APPARATUS AND REAGENT
1 pH meter
2 Turbidity meter
3 Portable Spectrophotometer
4 Sample A (Unitens lake)
5 Sample B (Miness lake)
6 Distilled water
7 Silicon oil
METHODOLOGY/PROCEDURE
A) pH value and temperature
1. The pH meter is switched on.
2. The samples with pH value of 4.0, 7.0 and 10.0 are used to do the checking for pH meter.
3. The distilled water is used to clean the pH meter probe.
4. Sample A is prepared and the magnetic bar is put inside the water sample.
5. The pH meter probe submerged into the sample and the reading of pH value and
temperature is recorded from pH meter.
6. Step 5 is repeated for another two times to get the average reading.
7. Step 3 until 6 are repeated for sample 6.
B) Colour
1. The Portable Spectrophotometer is switched on and the program code of 125 is selected.
2. A blank sample that fill with distilled water is prepared.
3. The sample cell is wiped before it is placed into Portable Spectrophotometer. The ZERO
button is pressed to get the zero reading for blank sample.
4. Another sample cell is cleaned by using distilled water. Water sample A is filled into this
sample cell and the sample cell is wiped.
5. The sample cell that fill with Sample A is placed into Portable Spectrophotometer and
READ button is pressed. The colour reading for this sample cell is recorded.
6. Step 5 is repeated for another two times to get the average reading.
7. Step 4 to 6 are repeated for Water Sample B.
C) Turbidity
1. The turbidity meter is switched on and the program code of 210 is selected.
2. Sample cell is cleaned by using distilled water.
3. Water sample A is filled into sample cell. A drop of silicon oil is used to wipe the surface
of sample cell.
4. The sample cell is placed into turbidity meter and the READ button is pressed.
5. The first reading show on the turbidity meter is recorded.
6. Step 2 to 5 are repeated for Water Sample B.

RESULT, CALCULATION AND DISCUSSION

Result

pH value Temperature ( C)
Sample
1 2 3 Average 1 2 3 Average
A 8.04 8.05 8.06 27.5 27.2 27.1
B 6.63 6.63 6.63 37.0 37.0 37.0

Colour (PtCo) Turbidity (NTU)

Sample
1 2 3 Average 1 2 3 Average
A 69 71 71 10.9 10.5 10.3
B 103 105 103 12.7 12.0 12.3
CALCULATION
Sample A

Sample B
DISCUSSION
1. In this experiment, the average pH value for sample A and sample B is 7.75 and 8.02
respectively. Since the pH value for sample A and B are more than 7, hence, we these
samples classified as poor alkali. Based on the data given in Table 1, our sample consider
is Class I. This is because the average pH value for our samples is within the ranges of 6.5
to 8.5. This kind of sample are not harmful to the natural environment. Thus, we not need
to do any treatment for it.
2. The temperature of sample A and B is 26.27 C and 26.3 C. We obtain these value for
samples temperature because we conduct this experiment in in the Environment Lab at
IUKL. Hence, it is consist as a rooms temperature for the lab.
3. The colour for sample A is 47.33 PtCo. Based on data given in Table 1, it is classified as
Class IIA. This is because the colour for sample A is more than 15 but less than 150 PtCo.
Hence, the conventional treatment for water supply is needed for this kind of sample. For
sample B in experiment, the colour is -12 PtCo. It is classified as Class I based on the data
given in Table 1. This can be proved since the -12 PtCo of colour from experiment is less
than 15 PtCo from data given in Table 1. Hence, practically no treatment necessary for
this kind of sample.
4. The turbidity from the experiment for sample A and B is 2.15 NTU and 0.805 NTU
respectively. Based on the data given in Table 1, these two samples are classified as Class
I since the turbidity value for these two samples are less than 5 NTU from data given.
Hence, no treatment is necessary for these two samples.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Based on the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (Table 1), we can conclude that
Sample A is dirtier than Sample B in term of colour parameter. This can be proved since the
colour for Sample A is classified as Class IIA from on Table 1. However, this problem can be
avoided by conduct conventional treatment. On the other hand, Sample B is classified as
Class I in term of pH value, temperature, colour and turbidity parameters. Hence, no
treatment necessary for this kind of sample.

REFERENCE
Ritabrata Roy. 22th September 2012. WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS: AN INTRODUCTION.
Viewed on 1st December 2015. http://www.slideshare.net/mechydra/water-quality-analysis-
introduction

HACH. 29th March 2012. Quality Testing of Drinking Water. Viewed on 1st December 2015.
http://www.slideshare.net/bill16388/quality-testing-of-drinking-water